Rear Differential differences?

[jr27236]

My truck 2016 1500 limited 5.7 8-speed 3:92 LS rear. 101500 miles

So just took a trip to Pennsylvania pulling out 7x16 enclosed with quads and gear. I'd say total weight was 5k. Anyway after the trip I now have what sounds like tire tread noise. I rotated the tires,(no change) pulled the diff cover and cleaned and changed fluids(no change). Replaced outer axle bearings and seals(no change). Figuring now it may either be the pinion bearing or inners. Either way, to my question lol: Is the rears in 2500 the same design or build as the rears in a 1500 except for gear ratio? I need a truck that can work without worry that it can't handle the job. I also pull a boat which is more weight than the enclosed but should be under the gross towing of the 1500 at the end of the day .

 

[BuschLatte420]

2500s have bigger rear ends, your truck should pull 5,000-8,000 pounds just fine.

 

[crash68]

Is the rears in 2500 the same design or build as the rears in a 1500 except for gear ratio?

The 2500 uses a full floating rear axle where as the 1500 is a semi-floating. It might be possible to put a 2500 axle under your 1500 since they're both a multi-link coil suspension.
I'm guessing you possibly got a bum rear axle housing/assembly. There are many 1500s that have logged tens to hundreds of thousands of miles with more weight on them without issue.

 

[jr27236]

The 2500 uses a full floating rear axle where as the 1500 is a semi-floating. It might be possible to put a 2500 axle under your 1500 since they're both a multi-link coil suspension.
I'm guessing you possibly got a bum rear axle housing/assembly. There are many 1500s that have logged tens to hundreds of thousands of miles with more weight on them without issue.

That's what Im thinking. This rear was definitely serviced before. The axle seals had orange/red RTV on them and they were marked exactly as the Timkens that I put in. (Unless the OEMS are the same).

 

[Jane S]

My truck 2016 1500 limited 5.7 8-speed 3:92 LS rear. 101500 miles

So just took a trip to Pennsylvania pulling out 7x16 enclosed with quads and gear. I'd say total weight was 5k. Anyway after the trip I now have what sounds like tire tread noise. I rotated the tires,(no change) pulled the diff cover and cleaned and changed fluids(no change). Replaced outer axle bearings and seals(no change). Figuring now it may either be the pinion bearing or inners. Either way, to my question lol: Is the rears in 2500 the same design or build as the rears in a 1500 except for gear ratio? I need a truck that can work without worry that it can't handle the job. I also pull a boat which is more weight than the enclosed but should be under the gross towing of the 1500 at the end of the day .

We need more info:

Tire load size e.g. E? - inflation pressure you have in them? What tire is on the truck?

Age of tires/miles/last time balanced?

Did you use a weight distribution hitch?

There are a lot of variables when towing.

I'd start with the least cost first to change first before anything else.

You shouldn't have any problems towing the traile with your truck.

 

[crash68]

@jr27236 you can probably find a rear axle with the same gearing and possibly less mileage and swap the whole thing out. All the +14 Gen4 (including Classics) trucks should use the same rear axle.
Check your local salvage yards: www.car-part.com

 

[Gr8bawana]

That's what Im thinking. This rear was definitely serviced before. The axle seals had orange/red RTV on them and they were marked exactly as the Timkens that I put in. (Unless the OEMS are the same).

The problem with putting a 2500 rear end in your 1500 is that you will have different number of lug nut front and rear. Probably also different size wheels.
You will also probably need to make sure your 1500 master cylinder will properly operate the large wheel brake cylinders.
Yes I've seen people run this way before so it's up to you if you want to try it.

 

[jr27236]

The problem with putting a 2500 rear end in your 1500 is that you will have different number of lug nut front and rear. Probably also different size wheels.
You will also probably need to make sure your 1500 master cylinder will properly operate the large wheel brake cylinders.
Yes I've seen people run this way before so it's up to you if you want to try it.

Very good point

 

[jr27236]

Tomorrow my buddy who has a shop is gonna check with the dealer if they will repair it. I literally just broke out of the 100000 mile drivetrain warranty. So fingers crossed.

 

[GTyankee]

Beginning in the 2011 Ram Production Year
Ram 1500 began using the 235mm, ( 9.25 " ) Rear Differential made by ZF, a German Company, they were 5 lug axles

The Ram 2500s use a larger Rear Differential,
a few 2013 Ram 2500s had a 10.5" unit, but the more common size was 11.5"
They use 8 lugs per wheel
( personally if i were to put the 3/4 ton rear differential on a 1/2 ton Ram, i would get the axles filled & drilled, so all 4 wheels had the same bolt pattern )

 

[jr27236]

Yeah I'm not gonna go with a 2500 rear end. I will most likely have the pinion bearing and inners replaced.

 

[62Blazer]

Sounds like you already make the decision, but as stated the 2500 trucks use a completely different rear axle. One of the main issues is that the 2500's use 8 lug wheels so you wouldn't have matching front to rear wheels. Also they never offered a 3.92 axle gears in 2500's, so if your truck is 4wd you would have to change out either the front and/or rear axle gears to match up. Also as mentioned, pulling a 5k trailer shouldn't cause the problem. If the rear axle truly has an issue that started right after pulling the trailer, it's not because the trailer was too big but just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back....the rear axle would have failed at some point anyway.

 

[crazykid1994]

9300lbs loaded. No issues. Right around 900lbs tongue weight.

 

[mtofell]

Yeah, I agree you should have no problem with that truck and load. I had a buddy with that same truck who towed nearly maxed out for years without issue. Sounds like a one-off issue rather than general overloading/overworking.

 

[jr27236]

Sounds like you already make the decision, but as stated the 2500 trucks use a completely different rear axle. One of the main issues is that the 2500's use 8 lug wheels so you wouldn't have matching front to rear wheels. Also they never offered a 3.92 axle gears in 2500's, so if your truck is 4wd you would have to change out either the front and/or rear axle gears to match up. Also as mentioned, pulling a 5k trailer shouldn't cause the problem. If the rear axle truly has an issue that started right after pulling the trailer, it's not because the trailer was too big but just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back....the rear axle would have failed at some point anyway.

I believe your right. The truck does pull the trailers ok. Just hoping it doesn't fail again.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I max mine out all the time even added airbag to overload it more.

Just rebuilt it with YuKon Gears and Yukon rebuilt kit. and full send ! Dont forget the Detroit TrueTrac

 

[jr27236]

Well to update. My Ram dealer basically circle ****** me acting like they are trying to help me. Ram customer service seems like it is completely staffed with out sourced robots who have NO idea about vehicles what so ever. I had to literally explain in baby terms what a the rear differential is. They basically will do NOTHING and refer me back to the dealer. Dealer wants $196 diagnostic fee then look at rear, (which in reality would require complete disassembly) then forward that info to ramcares or whoever to get approval for a "goodwill repair" and the kicker.....they won't have it in the shop till sometime in JULY/AUGUST!!! I was literally 1000 miles and a Month out of the certified used power train UNREAL TIMING. So I had NO choice but to bring it to a Differential shop and getting hosed for $2k because it is only getting louder and I will only cause more damage if I drive it. I have had an 03, 07 Rams and currently a 16 Rams Limited, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango R/T, Jeep Cherokee. My commitment to being a Mopar customer is obviously not worth much at the end of the day.

 

[tron67j]

As asked before, there is some information you didn't provide, such as axle weights fully loaded. Your trailer my be under max towing weight but you could be way over on axle weight which would put too much stress on the rear. That could be a contributing factor to your problem. If you are over, then a new rear end won't fix it, you could be in 2500 territory. All about load distribution.

 

[jr27236]

As asked before, there is some information you didn't provide, such as axle weights fully loaded. Your trailer my be under max towing weight but you could be way over on axle weight which would put too much stress on the rear. That could be a contributing factor to your problem. If you are over, then a new rear end won't fix it, you could be in 2500 territory. All about load distribution.

The tongue weight is probably 800lbs, the total trailer weight is 5-5500lbs. I changed the outer axle bearings. They were in fine condition with minimal wear on them. The truck is currently at a diff shop and the mechanic says it's the pinion bearings that are shot. So all the carrier and pinion bearings are being replaced. Seems like Mopar or any of the customer service I speak to can care in the least. Wasn't expecting a miracle but at least know what the warranty it has is and what a differential is. They ALL were clueless, reading off a sheet or looking it up. Just an overall lack of knowledge. I would at least think they would know something, but that would be a stretch.

 

[crazy jerry]

The problem with putting a 2500 rear end in your 1500 is

ill tell you the problem. it wont fit. nothing is the same . every mounting bracket would need to be custom made on site. even a master fabricator would have his hands full. the ujoints are different sizes. the electrical likely would be all wrong. the physical size differences would probly be a huge obstacles if not impossible to over come. one is 8lug the other 6. its a stupid idea altogether